A British comedy featuring Will Hay.

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This movie is part of the collection: Comedy Films

Director: Marcel Varnel
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures
Audio/Visual: sound, black & white
Keywords: comedy; Will Hay

Creative Commons license: Public Domain Mark 1.0

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Reviewer: Backintime - - November 10, 2010
Subject: Great Comedy
Another comedic masterpiece from Will Hay and his associates Moffatt and Marriott from 1939.Here we have all three as village policemen trying to save their jobs!whilst fighting headless horsemen,smugglers and a disgruntled police commissioner! ... definately not to be missed if you love classic British comedy.
Thanks for uploading this masterpiece!

Reviewer: IAmTheRedDragon - - October 11, 2010
Subject: Wonderful laugh-out-loud film
Thank you to the uploader of all these Wlll Hay films - despite their age they're still so fresh, funny and watchable. This one and 'My Learned Friend' are my favourites of the ones that have been uploaded.

Reviewer: Moongleam - - August 14, 2010
Subject: public domain
Update: see Video-Cellar's latest explanation of UK copyrights. The copyrights on films released before 1946 expired after 50 years and were not restored by GATT.


A search of U.S. copyright registers shows no renewal for this film.

Video-Cellar says that it is in the public domain:
"Ask a Policeman (1938) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT"

He said that these Will Hay films are p.d. as well:
Where There's a Will (1936) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Hey! Hey! USA (1938) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Convict 99 (1938) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Good Morning, Boys (1937) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Old Bones of the River (1938) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Oh, Mr. Porter! (1937) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Windbag the Sailor (1936) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT
Boys Will Be Boys (1935) PD in UK at GATT Date. Not eligible for GATT

See his post.

Reviewer: simonc3000 - - August 13, 2010
Subject: Fantastic Film
Further Update - So that mean its ONLY under copyright in Europe now then ?

One of the Best British Films

Really good film, remade quite a few times by other people but NEVER bested.

Will Hay and Gang at their best

It's just shame that its NOT in the Public Domain, the only Will Hay film that is approaching been in the Public Domain is Wheres That Fire.

So possibly a slight issue of copyright theft I guess

UPDATE:

Cinema films: Theatrical prints of the nine Gainsborough films (released on the Granada (formerly VCI/Cinema Club/Carlton) label) are distributed by Granada International. The other films are owned and distributed by Canal+, part of Universal Studios.

Reviewer: ohrabbits - - August 13, 2010
Subject: Hilarious!
I couldn't help but laugh at this one, and I'm depressed. Trio of bumbling policemen, the oldest of which sounds like Terry Jones playing an old woman. Thought I'd get tired of it, but I didn't. Very entertaining dialogue.